Glossary of Dental Terms P

Palate: The hard and soft tissues forming the roof of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities.
Palmer Notation: Palmer notation is an identification system for teeth widely used to designate individual teeth amongst orthodontists.
Panorex: A panorex is a single large X-ray taken outside of the mouth that shows all the teeth on one film.
Partial Denture: A partial denture is a denture replacing one or more teeth in a dental arch.
Periapical: The area surrounding the end of the tooth root.
Pericoronal: The area surrounding the crown of a tooth.
Periodontist: A periodontist is a dentist specialising in diseases of the gums and other structure surrounding the teeth.
Periodontitis: Periodontitis is the serious and advanced stage of gum disease which includes bone loss. Periodontitis is irreversible.
Plaque: A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives.
Polishing: Polishing is a dental procedure that removes stains, plaque and acquired pellicles by using an abrasive polishing paste in a rubber cup, attached to a slow-speed handpiece.
Pontic: The portion of a dental bridge that substitutes for an absent tooth.
Porceiain Veneer: A facing fabricated from porcelain that is bonded to the surface of a tooth to repair it and/or alter its contour and shade.
Post: In dental terms a post is a thin, metal stick-like instrument used in root canal treatment.
Posterior: Refers to teeth and tissues towards the back of the mouth
Premolar: A premolar is a tooth that has two cusps or points; located between the incisors and the molars.
Primary Dentition: The first set of teeth.
Prophylaxis: Dental prophylaxis consists of removing plaque and cleaning the teeth to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Prosthodontist: A prosthodontist is a dental specialist whose practice is limited to the restoration of the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth with artificial substitutes.
Pulp: The soft substance in the tooth, which contains the blood vessels and nerves.
Pulp Canal: The portion of the pulp in the root.
Pulp Cavity: The pulp cavity is the central cavity of a tooth containing the pulp (including the root canal).
Pulpectomy: Complete removal of vital and non vital pulp tissue from the root canal space.
Pulpitis: Inflammation of the dental pulp.
Pulpotomy: Surgical removal of a portion of the pulp with the aim of maintaining the vitality of the remaining portion by means of an adequate dressing.

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